Cough

[Henna420]

I took in Rosie for X-Ray. It showed that one of his lungs is completely filled with fluid. The vet said the fluid is hard and the lung actually feels like live. However, he took the fluid sample and blood sample to investigate further. I get the result tom.

If its an infection then antibiotics may work to protect the other lung
If its tumor then there is no hope

Its been a long week but i have my fingers crossed. I love my boy. But i really want to thank you all for insisting on getting him checked again. Being a first time owner, i didnt think there was anything wrong with cough.

I will keep you guys posted.

Please Pray

[sharronhurlbut]

Oh, hugs and good wishes.
We are here to support you and your beloved boy.

[Basenjimamma]

Oh, I am so sorry…praying it is just an infection..praying hard. Please keep us posted.

[LindaH]

I know you are in Canada so this is a long shot, but have you by any chance been in the southwestern U.S. (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah) or northern Mexico with your dog recently…before the coughing started?

If not, then ignore this; but if you have, your vet should draw some blood and have it tested for Valley Fever (the fungus Coccidioides).

[Kipawa]

@LindaH:

I know you are in Canada so this is a long shot, but have you by any chance been in the southwestern U.S. (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah) or northern Mexico with your dog recently…before the coughing started?

If not, then ignore this; but if you have, your vet should draw some blood and have it tested for Valley Fever (the fungus Coccidioides).

LindaH, thank you so much for a heads up. Kipawa was born in Washington state and then came up to BC, and we haven't travelled with him to the areas you mention.

But this brings up a thought - is there somewhere on the Internet that you can look at to see if there are any dog related illnesses happening that you can be aware of, or perhaps pre-medicate before you travel?

[LindaH]

@Kipawa:

But this brings up a thought - is there somewhere on the Internet that you can look at to see if there are any dog related illnesses happening that you can be aware of, or perhaps pre-medicate before you travel?

Fran, I'm not aware of any such site, but would also be interested in knowing if such a site exists since we do a lot of traveling.

Unfortunately, as far as Valley Fever is concerned, there is no vaccination available to prevent it…just treatment once the person or dog gets the disease.

Most vets in the affected areas should be aware of this disease; however, I'm sure some aren't, so just like Fanconi and other diseases, we need to be advocates for our dogs. One of the problems with Valley Fever are for those people and dogs who visit the southwestern U.S. (think Snowbirds) and then don't become ill until they return home. Doctors and vets elsewhere may not have ever heard of Valley Fever and certainly aren't on the lookout for it.

Here are some good websites regarding Valley Fever, both in people and dogs:

http://www.valleyfeversurvivor.com/ (Includes maps of the affected areas…click on Maps and History in the upper right-hand corner.)
http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/ (Includes a section on Valley Fever in Dogs.)

[deschroedter]

We just lost our Cory and he had the cough and cancer, we had to let him go to the bridge. It is a hard decision to make and I miss him every day. Do what is best for your boy, no matter how hard it is on you. God Bless.

[LindaH]

Deschroedter, my condolences on the loss of your Cory.

[Kipawa]

@deschroedter:

We just lost our Cory and he had the cough and cancer, we had to let him go to the bridge. It is a hard decision to make and I miss him every day. Do what is best for your boy, no matter how hard it is on you. God Bless.

I'm so sorry that you lost your Cory. Losing a pet is incredibly painful. Hugs to you and bones for Cory where he runs free over the Rainbow Bridge.

[DebraDownSouth]

I am so sorry to hear you lost your dog.

[sharronhurlbut]

This gives me comfort I hope it does for you as well. Hugs….
From a Grateful Dog

You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days
Your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing
When your best friend is in pain
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond into your soul,
I see in you the magic that will
Once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess
is why I look to you today
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner till the end.

Please understand just what this gift
You're giving means to me.
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do,
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it, too.

So one last time, I breathe your scent
And through your hand I feel
The courage that's within you
To grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear Friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing
For I won't be far away;
Forever here, within your heart
And memory I'll stay.

I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever-faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run...
A young dog once again.
(author not known)

[Marie Heidebrecht]

Henna420, will certainly be sending a prayer heavenwards for good news for Rosie and that he responds to treatment. Miracles happen.

The poem posted above was written by an American, Karen Clouston. This poem has special meaning for me, and I am unable to read it without tearing up. Someone posted it on the Basenji-L last year only weeks before I had to make the decision for my "Good Dog", shepherd mix Sassy. It described what I was experiencing exactly. May it bring comfort to all who have lost a good friend.

[Henna420]

Hello all. I have a sad news to report. I got Ultra Sound done fo my boy today. It turns out he has lung cancer:( There is nothing that can be done. Im trying to keep strong. Its not easy. He is my kid. I hope and pray he doesnt suffer. Please pray fo same.
Thanks again for everything.

[LindaH]

Henna420, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis.

[deschroedter]

You are both in my prayers, I had the same result with my Cory. Make your heart strong and do what is in the boy's best interest. It hurt, it still hurts, but I know Cory is not suffering any longer, he is with the rest of our pack at the bridge waiting for us. That brings comfort to my heart, even as I still leak tears at the oddest things that remind me of him. God speed as you make this last journey together. Dawn

[Basenjimamma]

oh my..I am so sorry to hear this..prayers are with you all.

[Patty]

Henna420 - I'm only just catching up with postings.

I'm so sorry about your lovely boy and yes I'll be praying hard that he's not in pain and will have a kind end.

My heart goes out to you.

[Marie Heidebrecht]

Henna420 - I am so, so sorry. I so wished you would get different news. My heart hurts for you. Will keep you and Rosie in my prayers. Sending you both hugs.

[DebraDownSouth]

I am so very sorry. ((Hugs and love)) I wish we could do more than simply let you know we have all been there and understand.

[dcmclcm4]

My boy Arnie who is 10 years old has a cough but I rarely hear it and it is mostly at night when laying down. The x-ray was abnormal. He was put on antibiotics for 14 days and the second x-ray showed a little improvement after 6 days. He had a coughing episode-4-6 coughs on Tuesday and he is scheduled for another vet appt. on Friday which will after 10 days of antibiotics. Dr. Tracy did mention cancer at the first x-ray.

He has had some strange blood results last year and the feeling was that he had an autoimmune problem. He was on Prednisone last year for a number of months and I weaned him off of it because I did not see any improvement. He may also have Cushings as his Urine Cortisol/Creatine test indicated it. I am waiting for the lung problem to be cleared up before he goes for the Low Dose Dex Suppression Test to verify the Cushings.

For those whose dogs had lung cancer and/or cough, what is the next step? I am concerned that the x-ray on Friday will not show any improvement.

Jennifer